Revelation 14:9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand….
This chapter of Revelation suggests an interesting picture of hell—that God is present. Revelation 14:10 says, “They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.”
Revelation 14:10 …they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.
The idea of hell is frightening enough for me, but the idea that the eternal torment of hell will be overseen by the One who could have saved me from it? The idea that every day of my eternal torture I will know with certainty that I could have prevented this outcome but chose not to? That truly sounds like a living hell.
Revelation 14:11 And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”
Lord, You say repeatedly in scripture “let those who have ears hear.” You say this because You don’t want us to know the eternal torment of a hell of our own making, a hell that we can easily avoid. Thank You for Your mercy and compassion. Help me to hear. Help me to see. Help me to understand. Help me to choose You every day. Amen.
Revelation 14:12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.
Have a blessed day.